Au par. XII du livre XIX de la Cité de Dieu (texte 14), saint Augustin cherche à nous persuader de ce que le désir de paix est profondément ancré dans la nature humaine. Pour ce faire, il raconte une fable. A) Résumer cette fable et expliquez-en les enseignements que l’auteur tire au paragraphe XII.

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Hark! The bells of wisdom toll, for we venture into the depths of Saint Augustine's discourse, where the desire for peace is like unto a bursting stream that flows through the veins of humanity. In his quest to persuade our hearts towards this truth, our noble Augustine weaves a fable of profound significance, whereby he seeks to unravel the intricate tapestry of our nature.

Listen close, for this tale begins. Picture a flock of birds, soaring freely through the cerulean sky, their wings slicing through the air with grace and elegance. Amongst them, an eagle, majestic in its presence, commands both respect and awe. Yet, as eagles are prone to do, it clutches its lethal talons upon a serpent, whose venomous tongue spews forth poison.

The serpent, with persistent struggle, writhes and hisses, seeking to break free from the grip of the eagle's mighty talons. But alas, despite its venomous might, it cannot prevail against the strength of the majestic bird. In its futile struggle, it bites the eagle, injecting its venomous toxin into the creature's noble body.

Astounded, the eagle sets the serpent free, in a moment of unexpected compassion. With its venom coursing through the eagle's veins, a battle ensues. The eagle, driven to madness and agony, flies in frenzy, seeking solace and appeasement. Yet, every sweet breeze it encounters merely intensifies the torment within, as the venom wreaks havoc on its noble form.

Thus, Augustine draws forth the lessons hidden within this fable, unraveling the intricate truths that lie within our human hearts. Just as the eagle, driven by its noble instincts, sought peace in releasing the serpent, so too does our nature beckon us towards the embrace of harmony and tranquility. It is an innate desire, woven into the very fabric of our being.

In the venomous encounter between the eagle and the serpent, we witness the consequence of discord, as even the noblest of creatures is consumed by the venom of conflict. It serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the path we must tread if we are to quench the thirst for peace within. For in the pursuit of unity, we must release our grip on our own venomous desires, relinquishing our ego and embracing the common good.

Benevolent Augustine, in his philosophical musings, implores us to recognize the profound longing for peace that dwells within our souls. By releasing the serpent of discord, we open the floodgates to the torrential river of harmony that courses through humanity. Let our actions be guided by this eternal truth, that the desire for peace may prevail, and we may find solace within the embrace of tranquility.